TWTD understands Swansea forward Morgan Whittaker, who is currently on loan with League One leaders Plymouth, is on Town’s list of potential January recruits, along with Brighton's young Republic of Ireland striker Evan Ferguson.

Whittaker joined the Pilgrims, who currently lead the Blues by two points at the top of the division, in July and has been one of their most impressive performers in the opening months of the campaign.

The 21-year-old has scored seven goals - including one in Argyle’s 2-1 victory over Town at Home Park - in 15 starts and eight sub appearances.

The former England U16, U17, U18, U19 and U20 international is due to remain at Home Park for the whole season, however, manager Steven Schumacher has admitted that any of his club’s loanees could be recalled in January.

“I think there is a possibility for all of them to be recalled because that's what tends to happen in these contracts,” he told Plymouth Live.

He added: “I understand that circumstances do change and if it does change then no problem, we will have a plan in place for that as well.

“But, at the moment, speaking to all of the loan players they are enjoying what they are doing and their clubs are really enjoying them playing for us.”

However, speaking earlier this month, Swans boss Russell Martin played down the chances of Whittaker being recalled.

“He's in a great place,” Plymouth Live reported. “They’re having a really good season. I don't know why we would disrupt that.

“If you look at the strength we have in the squad currently, we would only bring him back if we thought he could play the minutes he's playing there.”

Despite that, Town would almost certainly be able to pay a greater percentage of Whittaker’s Swansea wages than the Pilgrims if they were to take him on loan for the second half of the season.

Derby-born Whittaker started his career with his hometown club before joining the Swans in February 2021, signing a four-and-a-half-year deal. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Lincoln.

Meanwhile, we understand there is some truth in claims that the Blues are among a long list of clubs keen on Brighton youngster Evan Ferguson, who won his first two senior Republic of Ireland caps over the last few days.

According to the Daily Mail, Sheffield United, Millwall, Middlesbrough, Birmingham City, Preston North End, Bristol City, Wigan and Town are all monitoring the 18-year-old’s progress.

TWTD understands that like Whittaker, Ferguson is on Town’s list of players under consideration for loan in January but with the Blues' interest not having gone any further than that at this stage.

Town's head of recruitment Sam Williams was spotted at the Brighton-Feyenoord U21s fixture in October which Ferguson ultimately missed but seems likely to have been the reason for the trip.

The Bettystown-born striker joined the Seagulls from Dublin side Bohemians in January 2021 with Liverpool reportedly having been interested.

Ferguson, whose father is former Coventry, Colchester, Hartlepool and Northampton defender Barry, has made only one start and four sub appearances for Brighton, one game from the bench in the Premier League, scoring one senior goal.

Having been capped at U15, U17 and U21 levels, he was handed his senior bow as a sub in Thursday’s friendly with Norway before appearing from the bench again in yesterday’s game against Malta.

Photo: Reuters

Broadhill added 13:11 - Nov 21 Russell Martin who played for them up the road? He won't want Whittaker coming here.
4

SlippinJimmyJuan added 13:20 - Nov 21 Might not have much say in it Broadhill! Will watch this one with interest.
0

Len_Brennan added 13:22 - Nov 21 Whittaker is a good player & would be a decent signing, plus it would weaken our biggest rivals. I don't see the value of signing Ferguson on loan though, young & unproven even at League 1 level, at a time when we'd want to bring in someone that we know will make a difference to a promotion chasing side. I could understand it if we were looking to sign him permanently & hoping to get him on board early, but with Ahadme back now & the formation we play, I don't think a loan move for an inexperienced 18 year old is our best transfer window move.

7

chepstowblue added 13:38 - Nov 21 I don't feel as if we desperately need to do business. However, Whittaker would be an excellent signing, as would Collins from Bristol Rovers.
0

Sefton_Blue added 13:39 - Nov 21 Signing players from our promotion rivals - I like the sound of that as it weakens them and we strengthen. Sign Sam Cosgrove too
3

Edmundo added 13:45 - Nov 21 Definitely need to go for Whittaker,even just to disrupt Plymouth. It's a cut throat business, and we need to do whatever it takes to get up this season.
2

Bluearmy_81 added 13:48 - Nov 21 Good. Let's smash this league and go up as champions. We are Ipswich Town. We've had a decade of shopping at Poundland up till we were rid of Evans. Let's make sure there is no doubt we go up this season
7

Jack27 added 14:04 - Nov 21 Personally I'd love to see Scarlett from Portsmouth - and McKenna is a big fan of his
-1

Gforce added 14:18 - Nov 21 If we sign anyone in January, they need to be better than we already have,otherwise pointless. Hopefully we can find the next Marcus Stewart ,now that would make a difference 🙏
4

Suffolkboy added 14:20 - Nov 21 I'd be pretty sure KM and Co with M A's backing will be looking now to next season ,and any recruits ,though I do not know these two physically, will bring character and physical presence – Championship football will be another dimension ! COYB PS Whatever ITFC do is certain to have been well thought through !
-1

Bluearmy_81 added 14:23 - Nov 21 Suffolkboy down marked my comment. It must mean he doesn't think we are a big club, doesn't think we have to ensure we go up this season?!! Really strange. Probably used to say things like “thank god we've got Evans…” 😂😂
-1

Blue_75 added 14:34 - Nov 21 This would be the Marcus Stewart type signing I've been saying we should try to make! A quality striker and a move which would damage one of main promotion rivals, just like it did Huddersfield back in 2000!
3

Vic added 14:35 - Nov 21 Surprised this has become public. For that reason i doubt it will happen.
9

Saxonblue74 added 14:56 - Nov 21 Tend to agree Vic, most of our business seems to be kept under wraps until last minute. BA81, maybe Suffolkboy is looking forward, not back?
-1

Bluearmy_81 added 14:59 - Nov 21 Saxon, I'm excited about the future as a lifelong Ipswich fan and am very much looking forward. Just a pity more fans were ok with Evans chronic failure and didn't have the balls to stand up for their club
3

Bluearmy_81 added 15:09 - Nov 21 If they had we might have been beating Man City in the prem this season like Brentford, not playing Exeter and Accrington in div 3…
1

Linkboy13 added 15:30 - Nov 21 If we are going to survive in the championship we might have to be a bit more ambitious than this, the owners have definitely got the money.
1

Bazza8564 added 15:43 - Nov 21 Speculation about us taking Whittaker was inevitable, but I just cant see that happening unless we buy him, why would Swansea want to disrupt his loan unless there is money in it for them. As for the other lad, if he has championship and PL potential again i wouldn't see that, because if we add this season it would be experience and goals this season. Most signings come out of the blue so anything talked about this early seems like the media are bored without the PL and are just stirring things up from nothing

2

Stato added 15:56 - Nov 21 Whittaker best player I have seen in League 1 this season.
3

RegencyBlue added 16:50 - Nov 21 Ashton normally keeps his targets very quiet until the deals are done. I'd be surprised if there was anything to this personally.
2

magnus68 added 17:06 - Nov 21 I think we aim higher than this. We will hopefully be in a position where we need a last push for promotion, and then we need a proven PL forward out of favour to come here and bang them in. Cr8 anyone?
0

ArnieM added 17:50 - Nov 21 Martin will do all he can to ensure that Whittaker DOESN'T vine Town.
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jas0999 added 18:18 - Nov 21 With a number of key players injured, I'd be surprised if KM doesn't enter the transfer market on January. I like the fact we only have one loan at the moment, but can see the benefit of adding a second loan. Hopefully no more than that.
1

KMcBlue added 18:24 - Nov 21 Sounds good
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ArnieM added 19:44 - Nov 21 I notice the EADT ( Ashton earlier interview) seems to suggest Whittaker is “not a primary target”.
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